Ultrasound is a non-invasive, non-painful diagnostic test that allows us to visualize the internal organs and evaluate for disease. When we ultrasound the abdomen, we evaluate the liver, gall bladder, kidneys, bladder, spleen, adrenal glands, stomach, intestines, colon, pancreas and lymph nodes. We look for causes of common diseases and clinical signs such as:

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Liver disease

Enlarged liver

Jaundice

Kidney failure/kidney disease

Bladder infections and or stones

Blood in the urine and inappropriate urination

Prostate infections or enlargement

Enlarged spleen

Excessive drinking and urinating

Cushing’s disease/adrenal disease

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Blood in the feces

Abdominal pain

Weight loss

Lethargy

Anorexia (not eating or decreased appetite)

Pancreatitis

Cancer search or staging for treatment

Infections

Anemia

Ascites (fluid in the abdomen) and pleural effusion (fluid around in the lungs)

When we ultrasound the heart, we look at the size and function of the heart. Sometimes we obtain a baseline when a murmur is first heard, or as a clearance for anesthesia. In patients with clinical signs of coughing or difficulty breathing, we are looking for evidence of primary heart disease as a cause of the clinical signs and to rule in/out the possibility of heart failure. Most often, I will request a chest X-ray at the time of the exam to help evaluate the lungs. A blood pressure is also useful in many of these patients. Young puppies and kittens that are diagnosed with murmurs will be advised by your veterinarian to have an echocardiogram to see if there is a congenital abnormality especially before anesthesia for spay or neuter and to evaluate if your pet is a candidate for a corrective procedure if indicated.

Indications:

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Heart murmurs – acquired and congenital

Enlarged heart on x-rays

Coughing

Difficulty breathing

Collapse/fainting

Abnormal heart rhythms

Hypertension (elevated blood pressure)

Pre-anesthetic screen

Pleural effusion or pericardial effusion (fluid around the lungs or heart)

Heart based masses or right atrial masses/cancer screen

Masses in the chest

Diaphragmatic hernia

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What to Expect:

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Your pet will be shaved for the ultrasound as fur or hair obscures our view. We limit the area shaved to the portion of the body being examined. We do ask that your pet is held off of food for 12 hours, and water a few hours before the ultrasound and your pet should have a full bladder. In the vast majority of cases, ultrasound is done on an awake animal, although light sedation is needed in specific instances. If a sampling procedure is appropriate, your veterinarian will discuss this with you in advance.

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It is important to note that Dr. Frank consults directly with us, at Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital, who will then relay the results to you. You are asked to drop off your pet prior to the time window given to your veterinarian at the beginning of the day of your pet’s appointment or you can wait in the waiting room during the ultrasound.